The United States recognized the government of King Ibn Saud in 1931, but it was not until 1939 when it appointed its first U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Bert Fish, then resident in Cairo and ambassador to Egypt. Fish made one trip down to Jeddah in 1940 to meet the King and present his credentials, but it was not until after his mission was terminated that a legation was established there on May 1, 1942. The position was most recently occupied by John Abizaid from June 16, 2019 to January 20, 2021. He presented his credentials to King Salman on June 16, 2019. Ambassadors Notes See also Saudi Arabia–United States relations Ambassadors of the United States Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Washington, D.C. Ambassadors of Saudi Arabia to the United States References United States Department of State: Background notes on Saudi Arabia External links United States Department of State: Chiefs of Mission for Saudi Arabia United States Department of State: Saudi Arabia United States Embassy in Riyadh Saudi Arabia United States